Artifact Bearer

The sun falling from its height in the sky, well after noon Edward still asleep has had many servants knock upon his door to no answer. Liam worried stands still, aware of all his surroundings at the door

[Master is just tired, I know I shouldn't worry but my many admirers have told me there is no sign of him. His array is probably still active, no reason to worry at all] repeatedly reminding himself he continues to stand alert

"Thank you for the matches, Master Hao. And advice." The First Elder coal black hair, shading gray before its time, stands with a slight bow of his body

"No thanks needed, I hope you step out from under the dark clouds First Elder." 

Elder Dame taking flight, like a white beacon heads south

"Grand Elder" a child of no cultivation, hand servant of Beast Pavillon 

"Child, what is it?"

"This jade slip arrived earlier, I didn't want to interrupt" bowing

Gripping the slip with Chi rushing it to his palm, Master Hao's eyes widen

"HHAHA. Yes, leaders of men need men to lead."

"Ugh, fuck." rolling over Edward nearly forgetting his fall from the Immortal Yiqi, shocked for a moment at the size of his body. Soreness like knives in his muscles, he stretches holding his legs straight, toes bent back "Uhh refreshing pain, proof of my labor" 

Glancing out the window while walking to his circular table, peeping the sun on a descend westward [its nearly nighttime] grabbing the pitcher, light as it is hollow, drained from the fated night prior. Edward wonders why the servants have not fashioned his top [nearly 12 hours of rest, little time really I need more, and I cant even wake to refreshment]

Displeased Edward realizes his array still active with both functions, releases the secondary effect, after sensing and not hearing the people outside. [Liam like a guard dog is scaring the servants] 

Deactivating the array entirely "Liam, enter"

The tall stone anticline doors pushed opened to Liams deep bow "Good evening Master"

"Why are you here, not studying?" Edwards dry voice tired for thirst glaring daggers at Liam thinking his presence caused his discomfort 

"Master, forgive me! I was studying throughout the morning, skipping sleep, but the maids. Multiple had come to tell me, you were not answering the door. I grew worried knowing of the array and that you might not hear the knocks, but would sense me and open up."

"Why would the maids not just enter?"

"Master, servants are not allowed to enter chambers without invitation, don't you know?"

Edward realizing Roose's disrespect towards his vessel was long standing since before his betrayal, or perhaps he was never true since the start

"Of course, I am tired from my training as you can see, a little woozy."

"Master, if you wish to rest I can clear the hall and stand guard, your array is unneeded."

"No, I have burnt much sunlight, I will make use of the moonlight. Have a maid bring me food and water, I'm quite parched. Also have someone find Roose he deserves a scolding. " Waving Liam off Edward falling into the seat of his table

"Yes, Master. Food, drink, Roose." taking exit Liam happy to see Roose face the music strides with importance out of the bed chambers

[I hate circular tables, no head or ass end. Only way to indicate rank is to sit first or last]

Back into the garden behind the Albert manor Elder Sham and Rhea Albert engage in plot

"Elder Sham, what happened? You said you could make that cripple face punishment!" Rhea biting the nail of her thumb, a shotty job at calming her nerves

"Young lady, things do not always go smoothly. Unexpectedly there is many voices among the elders that favored Edward."

[worst of all, the strongest voice]

Elder Sham being Rhea Alberts silent partner, the mastermind and funder of the assassination as well as the one who gave the order to Aaron, the life ending one. Was not fond of Rhea, omitting that the fact the elders knew of her indecency and involvement

"So? You made promises, promised to make me heir and sovereign of the north! Yet all I see is the corpse of my own, and my brother gaining fame!"

"Yes, I did make promises. A man is only what others say he is, and I will not be called oath breaker. Take this Gu of spirit beast, same as last time." summoning a clear glass bottle full of translucent poison from his ring "Find the time to pass this along to Roose, he cannot escape cooperation now that he has taken our bribes for so long."

"Again with this "GU" does this thing even work? And Roose that urchin. I have sent words since yesterday afternoon, and he hasn't responded. I want to know the progress of the assassination!" 

"Young Lady, it is unwise to rush intrigue. Roose will come, and when he does pass the poison along, all will be as it should."

"It better be!"

 Four ghostly figures hovering above the garden fly witness to the exchange behind barriers of Chi

"What should we do Master?" voice 1

"This can't be allowed!" voice 2

nodding in agreement is person 3

"We do nothing, let us return."

[Heros are forged through tribulation. Rulers anticipate them. The weak perish buried underneath them. Let us see what you are, little lion] the master of the voices with high expectations

"Good stuff" picking his teeth Edward having sensed Liams hostility of Roose thinking he better not be on a wild goose chase for him himself, and sent out another like ordered, takes a large drink of his water washing his meal down

[what should I do today, my body needs rest, its heavy and I cant over work it. If Lord Gregor would hurry wouldn't that be nice?]

-

Far across Terrene to the southwest is the capital of the kingdom, Tera. Kayce, Patriarch and Duke of the Albert family, ruler of The North is nearing the entrance of the city with a small yet elite force of warriors. 

"Lord Patriarch!" flying off the city walls is the advanced messenger sent to bring news of the parties arrival 

"The watchman will not impede our flight over the city. His highness knows and anticipates your presence!" bowing a mile high in the air 

"Good, shall we go meet my friend?" The Warden with a reminiscent smile

KNOCK

[ah speak of the angel] 

"Lord Gregor, please come in!"

"My young master" hands shaking balled together about to bow

"My Lord, no need for that, please sit"

surprised by the young master Lord Gregor takes the seat across from Edward while pulling a storge ring from a different ring

Edward completely remiss of what he saw [Lord Gregor had a storge ring inside of a storage ring? Something so convenient should be impossible, the rings space manipulation should be working against each other and exploding!] 

"That ring..." Edward feeling greedy

"This old thing? haha. Surprised huh?"

Edward feeling annoyed with Lord Gregors amusement changes gaze from the ring to him

"Look, this ring was something the founder of this family wore, your ancestor. The lion face on the front with a red ruby in the mouth which is believed to signify the blood of enemies. I don't really believe that though I just think its creator had expensive taste. HAha"

Puzzled Edward has many questions yet only ask one "Its creator?"

"No body knows who made it. This ring is known as an artifact. Artifacts are things that are singular, unable to be reproduced by any means of man. People believe them to be divine. Your ancestor, like most artifact bearers found this ring before making a mark on history."

"A thing of such importance... on your hand. Father must truly treasure you, My Lord"

"Haha, truly he does. Your father and I are friends that have been together for so long, you couldn't understand the time we spent."

 [this young man talking of time to me of all people is hilarious]

"My young master your father unattached to such material possessions allowed me to wear this ring in his stead to aide me in my work. Now I wish to pass it onto you. This ring helped your ancestor carve a name for himself, it has always been passed down to the person who takes charge of his name. Traditionally, the heir would come to learn of the artifact before they ascend to the position of patriarch or matriarch, but I believe you are ready to bear it now." 

Rising from his chair Lord Gregor falls to both knees holding the artifact in both hands towards Edward 

"My young master, though not officially appointed heir I give this artifact to you, humbly showing my support of your legitimacy. Please accept my offering and support. Please do not see this as disloyalty towards Lord Kayce. This is merely me returning a treasure to its rightful owner, and letting my friend know it is time to make his decision!" 

Edward not knowing if the ring is something a god had created and threw upon the universe or something the ancients had made, but he knew the thing before him and the many other artifacts were opportunities unlike anything the Immortal realms had to offer

"My great supporter Lord Gregor, rise" taking the artifact from his palms

"I will not forget this favor in my rise to power. I will conquer all this plane has and gift a corner to you and your descendants, to inherit forever and ever." 

Lord Gregor feeling the aura Edward has more acutely than before, hearing the certainty in his words he fell to his knees once more. On his hands and knees, the top of his head pointed at the floor

"Thank you, for the kind words my young master!" 

[what a wind fall, this realm is without a doubt the most fortuitous, across stars uncountable]